There was, he thought, an emotional truth here somewhere, and he could see now that his role-playing had a previously unsuspected artistic element to it. He was acting, yes, but in the noblest, most profound sense of the word. He wasn't a fraud. He was Robert De Niro.
The character reflects on his role-playing, realizing that it holds a deeper emotional significance than he initially perceived. This moment of self-discovery leads him to understand that his actions, while theatrical, possess an artistic value that enhances his identity rather than diminishes it.
He comes to see himself not as an imposter, but as someone embodying a profound and genuine experience. The comparison to Robert De Niro underscores the transformative power of performance, indicating that he is engaging in something meaningful and authentic, rather than simply pretending.
